Glendale police arrest suspect in shooting of Circle K security guard

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Glendale police have arrested a suspect in the shooting of a Circle K security guard.

Police officers responded to the convenience store near Camelback Road and 59th Avenue on Oct. 15.

According to police, a man was attempting to shoplift beer when he was approached by a plain-clothed store security guard and a struggle ensued.

A uniformed store security guard responded to help his partner.

During the struggle, the suspect pulled a handgun and fired several rounds at the uniformed guard, striking him several times in his bulletproof vest. He sustained one gunshot wound to his body.

The uniformed guard used his stun gun and the suspect dropped his weapon. The suspect then produced a knife, cutting the guard.

The suspect physically assaulted the plain-clothed security guard as he fled on foot before police arrived.

The guards were not seriously injured.

Working off of a tip, Glendale police detectives were able to identify Monte Henry Alvarez, 31, of Phoenix, as a potential suspect, according to Sgt. Jay O'Neill.

Detectives obtained an arrest and search warrant for Alvarez. On Monday, the Glendale Police SWAT team executed the warrant near Osborn Road and 61st Avenue in Phoenix and Alvarez was taken into custody.

Alvarez was booked into a Maricopa County jail on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault.